Watch: How Much Horsepower Does an Old BMW M3 E46 Make on a Dyno?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The BMW M3 E46 doesn’t need much of an introduction. It’s considered by many to be the last BMW M3 that really put an emphasis on driving dynamics over power figures. Recently, one owner decided to take his nearly 20-year-old E46 to the dyno in a Top Gear-esque attempt to find out how many horses have escaped over the years.

94% off BMW MSRP, and 20% off horsepower

Smoke is usually not a good thing when testing cars | Vehicle Virals

RELATED: The Porsche 911 Outsold a Practical BMW SUV This Year

For starters, let’s get some baseline numbers here. The BMW M3 E46 generation left the BMW factory in Regensburg with 333 hp and 268 lb-ft of torque. Now, that’s kind of like measuring your height with heels on. You see BMW measures from the crank and not the wheels. However, some quick math gives us 283hp to the wheels (roughly).

That said, Vehicle Virals faired pretty well, all things considered. He bought his BMW M3 E46 for $3,000, swapped it to a stick shift, and gave it a tune, an exhaust, and some new headers. So, stock cars could see more loss than Vehicle Virals did. Regardless, at the end of the day, Vehicle Virals saw a shockingly good 289 hp and 240 lb-ft. Not bad, as he’s kept the 173,000 mile BMW M3 E46 right near the factory wheel horsepower numbers. Unfortunately, oil smoke from the exhaust cut the dyno day short.

Why is the BMW M3 E46 so good?

There’s not such thing as a cheap BMW M3 E46 | National Motor Museum via Getty Images

RELATED: Buyer’s Guide: BMW E46 M3 (2000-2006)

And that begs the question. Why does someone care so much about a nearly 20-year-old sports car? Is the E46 M3 really worth all that hype? Lucky for you, I own one, and can shed some light. Yes, they’re worth it. If I’m being honest, my car, at 122,000 miles is probably even more down on power than Vehicle Viral’s car. I don’t even care.

The BMW M3 E46 is a fantastic vehicle at any mileage. Having only driven my high-mile car, I can’t speak to the overall tightness of low-mileage cars, but this is absolutely a $40,000 driving experience, which explains the Bring a Trailer prices. The E46 M3 is one of the last “pure” (much as I hate that word) enthusiast driving experiences out there.

Should you buy an E46 M3?

A side profile of a silver 2002 BMW M3
It’s getting hard to build cars like this | National Motor Museum via Getty Images

If you want one, buy one. However, just like Vehicle Viral’s M3, beware. Maintenance is a huge expense, which you can read more about in the buyer’s guide above. These cars are not cheap to drive, and the BMW dealer will happily charge you $600 for spark plugs and ignition coils. That said, if you’re enough of a masochist (or can afford a real nice one), there’s not a whole lot that can scratch the same itch. Just make sure you don’t blow a bunch of oil out the exhaust like our friend on the dyno did.

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How Much Does Jay Leno Pay for Car Insurance?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

When you think of a car collection, you probably think of five or 10 cars. Many car collectors pick a favorite make, model, segment, or era and collect a few choice vehicles for their collection. But not celebrities like Jay Leno. With over 300 vehicles, the TV personality’s car collection is legendary and maybe even obsessive. It has gone beyond what one garage could possibly hold.

And the incredible thing is that he keeps all of his cars and motorcycles road-ready. Which begs the question: How much does Jay Leno pay for car insurance on more than 300 vehicles?

The full extent of Jay Leno’s car collection

Jay Leno with a 2004 Bentley S2 coupe | Paul Harris/Getty Images

Jay Leno has more than 180 cars and over 160 motorcycles in his collection, the duPont Registry reports. And many of them are one-of-a-kind. Leno not only purchases collector’s edition vehicles, but he also restores his own cars, which is part of why the exact number in his collection is always changing. Leno regularly buys, sells, restores, and even gifts cars to ensure his entire collection is appreciated instead of gathering dust.

Some of the most interesting models in his collection include a historical 1915 Hispano-Suiza, a classic 1963 Jaguar E-Type, and a sleek 2011 Rolls-Royce Ghost. Every car has its own personality, history, and unique driving experience. 

So, how much must Jay Leno be paying for car insurance?

Of course, appreciating that unique driving experience means being able to take that collection out on the road. Leno says all of his active collection cars and motorcycles are road-worthy. And with over 300 vehicles in the collection, that insurance bill must be enormous.

YouTuber Ari Cagan had the same thought, so he explored the concept in a recent video. In the video, he goes into detail about what it might take to insure Jay Leno’s car collection and how much it would cost. Cagan looks at the total insurance and registration fees that might be involved.

And after a detailed analysis, he determined that keeping Leno’s collection insured and registered could cost $1.1 million per year.

The collector car insurance exception

Cagan makes a good analysis of what Jay Leno’s cumulative car insurance bill might look like, but he forgets to take collector car insurance into account.

Many of Leno’s cars are historical vehicles that, though functional, are unlikely to be taken on regular or long drives. Insurance companies, such as Hagerty, take collector cars into account with lower-cost insurance. They consider that these cars are less likely to be driven and are often driven more carefully. This significantly reduces the likelihood of damage and, therefore, the cost of insurance.

As a result, Leno’s auto insurance bill is probably lower than the number Cagan theorized. Only those vehicles that are considered modern and commute-worthy are likely to be insured at the full rate. There’s also the possibility that Leno has a special deal on car insurance in bulk or out of consideration that each model in his collection is unlikely to see a daily driver’s road time.

For Jay Leno’s sake, we hope he got his collector cars insured at a lower rate. Even when you have enough money to buy small islands (Celebrity Net Worth puts his net worth at $450 million), it’s always nice to get a good deal on car insurance.

RELATED: The History Behind Brad Pitt’s Ultra-Rare Nazi Motorcycle That Cost Almost $400K

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5 Best Finance Car Deals In September 2021 According to U.S. News & World Report

by Gabrielle DeSantis

As we enter into the months of model-year-end savings, some people may be looking to finance their next vehicle. There are plenty of car deals to go around this September, including plenty of variety if you’d like to lease. For those who’d prefer to own their vehicle, U.S. News & World Report has put together a list of some of the best finance car deals for September 2021. Some of these deals are simply 0% financing while others will give cashback to you. Depending on your vehicle needs and spending budget, we’ve got the right deal for you.

All deals may vary based on location and are only available for a limited time. Most automakers offer deals on other models as well if the one you’re interested in doesn’t appear on this list. Be sure to check your local dealer’s website to ensure its participation before traveling to purchase. Here are the 5 best finance car deals in September 2021.

5. 2021 Chevrolet Equinox

2022 Chevy Equinox | Chevrolet
  • 0% financing for 72 months
  • $3,000 cashback
  • Expires 9/30/2021

Looking for a compact SUV that doesn’t break the bank? The Chevrolet Equinox has an 87/100 quality and reliability rating from JD Power, and a U.S. News safety rating of 9.7/10. Reliability and safety are a massive need for any family vehicle, and the Chevrolet Equinox is just that. Able to seat five and starting at just $23,800 this might be the perfect small SUV for you.

4. 2021 Cadillac XT5

A grey 2021 cadillac xt5 parked near a building
2021 Cadillac XT5 | Edmunds
  • 0.9% financing for 72 months plus $500 bonus cash
  • Expires 9/30/2021

If a luxury midsize SUV better fits your needs, this recently redesigned XT5 might be perfect. With a 9.7/10 safety rating, it’ll fit your entire family and keep them safe. Averaging 29 highway miles per gallon, the XT5 can save you money at the dealership and the gas station. A more affordable luxury SUV, it starts at just $43,995.

3. 2021 Buick Enclave

A grey 2021 Buick Enclave parked outside during the day
2021 Buick Enclave | Edmunds
  • 0% financing for 72 months
  • $4,250 cashback
  • Expires 9/30/2021

Starting at just $41,195, the Enclave costs less than most luxury midsize SUVs. With multiple trims available this SUV can cost as much as $57,000 fully loaded. The Enclave offers more roomy third-row seating and more cargo space than the GMC Acadia, so it beats out the direct competition in most aspects.

2.  2021 Audi A6

A black 2021 Audi A6 parked outside during the day
2021 Audi A6 | Edmunds
  • 0.49% financing for 60 months
  • Expires 9/30/2021

This financing deal can certainly help someone who is just on the brink of affording a brand new Audi. The low financing offer sweetens the deal and if that was all that was holding you back, why not commit to a beautiful Audi A6. With a 9.4 safety rating and plenty of luxurious features, the only thing left to do is decide which trim you want. The Audi A6 luxury sport sedan starts at $54,900.

1. 2021 Acura TLX

Consumer Reports: Avoid the 2021 Acura TLX, Buy the 2021 Audi A4
2021 Acura TLX | Acura
  • 0% financing for 36 months
  • 0.9% financing for 60 months 
  • Expires 11/1/2021

The start of the second generation of TLX, this model year has been completely redesigned since 2020. The new model has sharper handling, is wider and lower, and it has a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Most impressively, if safety is important to you, the 2021 TLX has a 10/10 safety rating from U.S. News. Starting at just $37,500, this luxury sedan comes at an affordable price and offers a lot more than you’d expect.

The best financing deals are ones that last a long time. You’ll find plenty of 72-month and 60-month deals on this list, along with varying vehicle types. The Acura TLX is a luxurious and safe sedan with a low starting price, so with those financing deals, it’s almost a can’t miss for buyers looking to purchase. These are the 5 best finance car deals of September 2021 according to U.S. News.

RELATED: 3 Popular SUVs Consumer Reports Gave the ‘Avoid’ Label

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What Is the Cheapest Jet Ski?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Though a Jet Ski is generally less expensive than a boat, personal watercraft (PWC) still aren’t cheap. In fact, some of the more expensive models cost around $20,000. However, you don’t have to spend 20 grand to get a great PWC. In fact, several new models cost less than $10,000. Here is the cheapest new Jet Ski, WaveRunner, and Sea-Doo model from each brand.

Personal watercraft basics

Vacationers on Jet Skis and WaveRunners | Waltraud Grubitzsch/picture alliance via Getty Images

Though many people refer to all PWCs as Jet Skis, “Jet Ski” is a brand name from Kawasaki. Additionally, WaveRunner and Sea-Doo are brand names from Yamaha and Sea-Doo, respectively. They’re all personal watercraft models, but each is a little different. And though not as popular as the above brands, Polaris, known for making ATVs, makes Sea Lion personal watercraft.

They all share the same features that define a PWC. An inboard jet drive provides propulsion, and they are designed for riders to sit, stand, or kneel on instead of ride in like a boat. Many models accommodate more than one person, with several models rated safe for three people. 

Sea-Doo’s cheapest PWC

According to Sea-Doo, the Spark starts at $5,699. That makes it the most affordable new PWC on the market. It has two available engines, and both are Rotax 900 ACE motors.

One puts out 60 hp and uses 1.94 gallons of fuel per hour, and the other puts out 90 hp and uses 2.4 gallons per hour. They are not only among the most fuel-efficient engines on the market, but they also deliver immediate acceleration.

The Sea-Doo Spark is also compact, light, easy to tow, and seats two or three people depending upon the configuration. 

Yamaha’s least expensive WaveRunner model

The WaveRunner EX starts at $7,199, the Yamaha website shows. It seats one to three people, depending upon the configuration.

The WaveRunner EX base motor is a three-cylinder, four-stroke TR-1 Yamaha Marine Engine, with a top speed of around 50 mph. It also has a tow hook if you want to use your WaveRunner for towable sports such as tubing or wakeboarding.

In addition, it has an easily accessible extra-large glove box for everything you don’t want to get wet or lost, including your phone, sunglasses, and keys.

Kawasaki’s cheapest Jet Ski

According to Kawasaki, the least expensive PWC the company makes is the Jet Ski STX 160, starting at $9,899. It provides seating for two to three people, with a load capacity of 496 pounds.

The engine is a four-stroke, naturally aspirated inline-four with 957 pounds of thrust. It also has electronic cruise control and a 20.6-gallon fuel capacity — much higher than the average fuel capacity for most PWCs. So it gives you a larger range to play with.

If you’re looking for a fun recreational vehicle for the water that’s smaller and cheaper than a boat, a Jet Ski, WaveRunner, or Sea-Doo model could be a viable option. PWCs also take up less room than a boat and are easier to transport.

But whichever PWC you choose, always remember to operate it safely. Personal watercraft can be as dangerous as any vehicle on land or water. Don’t let your fun and exciting water activities end in tragedy. 

RELATED: 5 Best Jet Skis for Tubing, Wakeboarding, and Waterskiing

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